Whizzer
Gig'em
I've checked this doctors credentials and found him to be legitimate. This was sent to me by a friend living in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
From: Justin Maloney
E.R. Doctor in Ottawa
I’m struck by how advisories about distancing and staying 2 metres from
others don’t seem to be sticking to “us”. Experience elsewhere says we
are on the front edge of a killing spree that will last a month or
more. People will get this virus and some will die. Usually, that
will be us. Different stats show us that anyone over 60 is at great
risk from COVID 19. Kids do OK but carry the virus to spread it.
Seniors die, despite best care, in 10-25% of cases. I didn’t make
this **** up. Its real. It seems surreal to consider myself as a senior, that “at risk” person.
COVID 19 says stay at home, don’t invite family or friends for
anything. Stay away from everyone. Ok, maybe not your main squeeze
that wakes up beside you each day but anyone else. Don’t invite your
son or daughter over. Don’t visit an elderly relative. Don’t go to a
bar. Don’t share a cigarette, or a joint. Have a bathroom glass for
each of you. Wipe all your surfaces (counters, taps, door knobs,
remotes, cell phones, etc.) down with something like Lysol. Be frantic
about it. Wash hands before meals and after.
You may feel you have your health now. When you don’t, when you have a
cough or fever, pay attention to what I said above. Find a separate
bedroom, bedding and bathroom. Your own clothes get hot water washed.
If you really have it you will know at day 7 – 10. That is when it
gets awful. Keep a medical record or file nearby to help the poor ER
doc figure out your past history. Have a will made out now and
identify a POA before sudden things happen. If you get sick, think
about how you or the POA would answer the “Goals of Care” questions
that doctors will ask. (CPR?, ICU?, Ventilators?) We have no
treatment for this killer other than social distancing and maintaining
your best basic health..
We are only in the early stages of this. We see a few thousand cases
this week but like other jurisdictions, we can expect perhaps a hundred
thousand in coming weeks.
In Italy, without early social distancing, COVID 19 has exploded.
Rationing has started. No one over 60 will be helped, not in
hospital, no ICU/ventilator care. You may think of Italy as less
capable and more resource challenged than us. Not at all. They have
lots of beds/doctors etc. But they have lots of old people, just like
you ... OK, and me too.
Have virtual celebrations from your own place with others by video
conferencing. All of our doctor/hospital meetings are via SKYPE,
FaceTime or DUO etc. and now WhatsApp.
The thing is, despite a flood of public education, a lot of us still
don’t see the risk of contracting COVID 19 as applying to us, us
seniors that is. Get over it. You may die if you get this flu. Kids
coming to visit will bring it into your space and leave it with you,
even if they are not sick. Perhaps pets too by the way.
Some of you have returned from travel and are counting the days until
quarantine is done and you can get on with your life. The problem is
“your life” isn’t going to be any different than quarantine for the
next while, perhaps months. Stay home. A birthday celebration should
be about making sure there are future birthdays to celebrate.
At work this week I was involved with 6 COVID 19 suspects just in the
areas we have for minor cases. The patient anxiety was high and it
should have been. Don’t be a COVIDIOT! There was a lot to correct in
their social patterns in the previous few days.
Need toilet paper? Just kidding. But really, there are some things
you might need. Groceries, pharmacy, etc. but as this becomes even
more alarming shopping online with delivery may make sense. Go out for
walks but not for greetings and gatherings.
Take me seriously here. No invites for anything. Stay away!, Close
your doors ... drink if ya like, toast whatever, but use WhatsApp video
to do it, I want food and Mount Gay rum and coke this summer, not some
funeral with COVDID 19 egg salad sandwiches.
And perhaps don’t just stay away from each other, even your family and
close friends, until it’s OK. Become champions for this message. You
are with few exceptions (ahem !!) smart, respected voices who as
seniors need to wake up others in the senior’s community.
Sincerely me, worried about you,
Justin Maloney, MD, FCFP, CCFP(EM), FRCP(C)
Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of
Ottawa
Emergency Physician, The Ottawa Hospital
Medical Director Emeritus, Regional Paramedic Program For Eastern
Ontario
The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario
From: Justin Maloney
E.R. Doctor in Ottawa
I’m struck by how advisories about distancing and staying 2 metres from
others don’t seem to be sticking to “us”. Experience elsewhere says we
are on the front edge of a killing spree that will last a month or
more. People will get this virus and some will die. Usually, that
will be us. Different stats show us that anyone over 60 is at great
risk from COVID 19. Kids do OK but carry the virus to spread it.
Seniors die, despite best care, in 10-25% of cases. I didn’t make
this **** up. Its real. It seems surreal to consider myself as a senior, that “at risk” person.
COVID 19 says stay at home, don’t invite family or friends for
anything. Stay away from everyone. Ok, maybe not your main squeeze
that wakes up beside you each day but anyone else. Don’t invite your
son or daughter over. Don’t visit an elderly relative. Don’t go to a
bar. Don’t share a cigarette, or a joint. Have a bathroom glass for
each of you. Wipe all your surfaces (counters, taps, door knobs,
remotes, cell phones, etc.) down with something like Lysol. Be frantic
about it. Wash hands before meals and after.
You may feel you have your health now. When you don’t, when you have a
cough or fever, pay attention to what I said above. Find a separate
bedroom, bedding and bathroom. Your own clothes get hot water washed.
If you really have it you will know at day 7 – 10. That is when it
gets awful. Keep a medical record or file nearby to help the poor ER
doc figure out your past history. Have a will made out now and
identify a POA before sudden things happen. If you get sick, think
about how you or the POA would answer the “Goals of Care” questions
that doctors will ask. (CPR?, ICU?, Ventilators?) We have no
treatment for this killer other than social distancing and maintaining
your best basic health..
We are only in the early stages of this. We see a few thousand cases
this week but like other jurisdictions, we can expect perhaps a hundred
thousand in coming weeks.
In Italy, without early social distancing, COVID 19 has exploded.
Rationing has started. No one over 60 will be helped, not in
hospital, no ICU/ventilator care. You may think of Italy as less
capable and more resource challenged than us. Not at all. They have
lots of beds/doctors etc. But they have lots of old people, just like
you ... OK, and me too.
Have virtual celebrations from your own place with others by video
conferencing. All of our doctor/hospital meetings are via SKYPE,
FaceTime or DUO etc. and now WhatsApp.
The thing is, despite a flood of public education, a lot of us still
don’t see the risk of contracting COVID 19 as applying to us, us
seniors that is. Get over it. You may die if you get this flu. Kids
coming to visit will bring it into your space and leave it with you,
even if they are not sick. Perhaps pets too by the way.
Some of you have returned from travel and are counting the days until
quarantine is done and you can get on with your life. The problem is
“your life” isn’t going to be any different than quarantine for the
next while, perhaps months. Stay home. A birthday celebration should
be about making sure there are future birthdays to celebrate.
At work this week I was involved with 6 COVID 19 suspects just in the
areas we have for minor cases. The patient anxiety was high and it
should have been. Don’t be a COVIDIOT! There was a lot to correct in
their social patterns in the previous few days.
Need toilet paper? Just kidding. But really, there are some things
you might need. Groceries, pharmacy, etc. but as this becomes even
more alarming shopping online with delivery may make sense. Go out for
walks but not for greetings and gatherings.
Take me seriously here. No invites for anything. Stay away!, Close
your doors ... drink if ya like, toast whatever, but use WhatsApp video
to do it, I want food and Mount Gay rum and coke this summer, not some
funeral with COVDID 19 egg salad sandwiches.
And perhaps don’t just stay away from each other, even your family and
close friends, until it’s OK. Become champions for this message. You
are with few exceptions (ahem !!) smart, respected voices who as
seniors need to wake up others in the senior’s community.
Sincerely me, worried about you,
Justin Maloney, MD, FCFP, CCFP(EM), FRCP(C)
Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of
Ottawa
Emergency Physician, The Ottawa Hospital
Medical Director Emeritus, Regional Paramedic Program For Eastern
Ontario
The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario
)
